Worshipers find movie theaters just the ticket

Congregations put their faith in film venues and say the benefits go far beyond the financial savings
By Patrick T. Reardon Tribune reporter
January 31, 2009

Each Sunday morning, more than 200 people flock to the Regal Lake Zurich theaters, but not to see a movie. They come to pray.

Part of a nationwide trend, Northwest Family Church members transform the multiplex's auditoriums into worship spaces.

On one recent Sunday, adults and teens sang along with a rock band as lyrics were projected onto a huge screen that only the night before had been showing "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

Later, Bible passages filled the screen."What's better than to be in an auditorium where great stories are told when you have a great story to tell?" senior pastor Darrin Hughes said moments before the service started. the rest